Vehicle under-seat container

ABSTRACT

The receptacle can include a plurality of nubs on its bottom surface, for providing traction to the underseat container when positioned underneath the vehicle seat.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container system that can beadjustably secured under the seat or cab of a vehicle. The inventionparticularly relates to container systems that can be secured with anadjustable cable lock mechanism or protruding nubs on the bottom of thecontainer.

BACKGROUND

Many automotive vehicles include vehicle seats below which storagecontainers can be placed. Such containers can be secured to a supportstructure of the vehicle seat. Normal operation of the vehicle can causesuch containers to shift on the floor of the vehicle. When the vehicleis parked, open or exposed containers can invite theft of the articlesin the container, or can allow the articles to spill out of the storagecontainer.

There is a need for such underseat containers to be configured to tuckneatly under vehicle seats, to stow articles safely away from passengersin the vehicle, and to be secured such that the containers remain awayfrom view, to decrease the risk of theft. There is a need for storagecontainers that can be secured to the vehicle seat easily and quickly,preferably installed without additional tools or with a minimum oftools. There is also a need for such containers configured to have theirpositions readily adjusted and to facilitate their removal from thevehicles.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to an underseat storage system for avehicle having i) a seating system extending substantially an entirelength of the vehicle and ii) a floor surface, the seating system havingsupport members at opposing ends, the underseat storage systemcomprising: a storage receptacle comprising a bottom wall, upstandingside walls, a front wall, and a rear wall, wherein the rear wallincludes an aperture in a central portion of the rear wall; and anadjustable lock system comprising: a cable and a cable lock mechanism,the cable lock mechanism for securing first and second segments of thecable to each other; such that when the storage receptacle is positionedunderneath the seating system, the cable i) is threaded through theaperture and ii) engages the support member, and the adjustable cablelock mechanism for securely locking the first and second cable segmentsto each other.

In some embodiments, when the adjustable lock system is engaged, theunderseat storage system and the seating system define a storagecompartment.

In some embodiments, the storage compartment is inaccessible to apassenger when seating system is in a configuration to seat anindividual.

In some embodiments, the storage receptacle includes an open top.

In some embodiments, the bottom wall is contoured to lie flush againstthe vehicle floor surface.

In some embodiments, the bottom wall comprises a plurality of protrudingnubs.

In some embodiments, each cable lock mechanism is for securing the cableat any pair of a plurality of cable segments.

The present disclosure also relates to an underseat storage system for avehicle, the underseat storage system comprising: a storage receptaclecomprising: a bottom, a front and a rear, and a pair of sidewalls, thestorage receptacle including a plurality of apertures in at least one ofthe front, rear, and side walls; a plurality of cables, the cables forpassing through the apertures; and a plurality of cable lock mechanisms,the cable lock mechanism for securing first and second segments of thecable; such that when at least one cable is positioned i) through atleast one aperture and ii) around a support member of a seating systemof the vehicle, at least one cable lock mechanism can secure the firstand second cable segments to securely lock the storage receptacle underthe vehicle seating system.

In some embodiments, each cable has a predefined length.

In some embodiments, each cable includes a plurality of segment and eachcable lock mechanism can attach to any one of the segments.

In some embodiments, each aperture is closer to an upper edge of therear wall than to the bottom.

In some embodiments, the storage receptacle includes an open top.

In some embodiments, the front, the rear, and the sidewalls arecontoured to lie flush along a bottom surface of the seating system,when the seating system is configured to provide seating for anindividual.

The present disclosure also relates to an underseat storage system for avehicle having a seating system, the underseat storage systemcomprising: an elongated bin having an open top, the bin including oneor more apertures on a surface of the bin, wherein the bin forms astorage compartment when the open top is positioned underneath theseating system; such that a bottom surface of the elongated bincomprises a plurality of protruding nubs.

Some embodiments comprising one or more adjustable cable lockmechanisms, each cable lock mechanism comprising a cable and a cablelock mechanism for engaging a segment of the cable; such that when thecable lock mechanism is positioned within the aperture and around asupport member of a seating system of the vehicle, the cable lockmechanism can engage the cable to secure the bin to the support member.

In some embodiments, each cable lock mechanism is for securely engaginga central segment of the cable.

In some embodiments, the elongated bin is a unitary piece.

In some embodiments, the elongated bin is made of plastic. In someembodiments, the open top is contoured to lie flush along a bottomsurface of the seating system, when the seating system is configured toprovide seating for an individual.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is best understood from the following detailed descriptionwhen read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the different viewsand embodiments. The various features of the drawings are notnecessarily to-scale. The drawings described herein are for illustrativepurposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an underseat container systemconfigured against a vehicle seat in the upright position, with theunderseat container in an unsecured position.

FIG. 2 shows a pair of cable locks systems in unsecured configurafions,showing a cable connected to a cable lock mechanism and showing a cabledisconnected from a cable lock mechanism.

FIG. 3 shows a cable lock system in a secured configuration, so that onesegment of the cable is secured to another segment of the cable by thecable lock mechanism.

FIG. 4 shows a partial perspective view of an underseat container duringinstallation under a vehicle seat system, the cable lock mechanism hassecured the cable to itself, but is loose enough to allow the underseatcontainer a degree of movement.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an underseat container configuredagainst a vehicle seat in the upright position, with the underseatcontainer secured to the vehicle seat, with the container secured to theseating system.

FIG. 6 shows a side view of an underseat container system, secured to avehicle seating system in the upright or seating position.

FIGS. 7A-7G show views of an embodiment of the underseat containersystem, with FIG. 7A showing a perspective view, FIGS. 7B-7G showingfront, rear, right, left, top, and bottom views, respectively.

FIGS. 8A-8G show views of another embodiment of the underseat containersystem, with FIG. 8A showing a perspective view, FIGS. 8B-8G showingfront, rear, right, left, top, and bottom views, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles ofthe present invention is intended to be read with the accompanyingdrawings, which are to be considered part of the entire writtendescription. In the description of embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merelyintended for convenience of description and is not intended in any wayto limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as“front,” “rear,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “top” and“bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,”“downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to theorientation as then described or as shown in the drawing underdiscussion.

These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do notrequire that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particularorientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as“attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” andsimilar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured orattached to one another either directly or indirectly throughintervening structures.

The features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by referenceto exemplified embodiments and examples. Accordingly, the inventionexpressly should not be limited to such exemplified embodimentsillustrating some possible but non-limiting combination of features thatmay be provided alone or in other combinations of features; the scope ofthe invention being defined by the claims appended hereto. The followingdescription of the preferred embodiments) is merely exemplary in natureand is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, oruses.

The underseat container system 10 is for use in conjunction with theseating system 303 of a car, truck, or other vehicle. Embodiments of theinvention can be used with vehicle seating systems 303 that extendsubstantially for an entire length of the vehicle; that is, they canspan most or all of the distance between the single seat, multipleseats, or cab spanning between the sides of a vehicle. Such a vehicleseating system 303 can include seat back 305 attached to a seatingsurface provided by a vehicle seat 307. Seat support members 309 canattach the vehicle seat 307 to the floor 315 of the vehicle 315. Theunderseat container system 10 can be placed under a bottom surface 313of the vehicle seat 307 and secured to the vehicle seat 307, for exampleat opposite ends 317 of the vehicle seat 307

As shown in FIGS. 1-8, the underseat container system 10 can include areceptacle 20 that can act as a storage container. The receptacle 20 canbe arranged to fit in the space under a vehicle seat 307 such as a pairof conventional seats, a bench seat, or cab of a conventional vehicle,such as a truck or car. The underseat container system 10 can havedimensions such that it can be positioned into a close-spaced relationto the vehicle floor 315 subjacent to the vehicle seat 307.

The receptacle 20 can be made of one piece of material, such as plastic,or any other material found suitable for the purpose. The receptacle 20can include a bottom wall 22, as well as an upstanding front wall 24,rear wall 26, and side walls 28 that are connected to the bottom wall22. The receptacle 20 can serve as a bin or storage container, and cancontain a variety of articles. In preferred embodiments, the receptacle20 can lack a top wall or lid; such receptacle can be lidless or have anopen top 30. As shown in FIG. 6, the receptacle 20 can be configuredwith the vehicle seat 307 such that the vehicle seat 307 itself acts asa top wall or lid for the receptacle 20. Thus, the receptacle 20 andvehicle seat 307 (e.g., the bottom surface 313 of the vehicle seat 307)can be configured together to provide or define a storage compartment 32for containing and concealing the articles.

The receptacle 20 can have a shape that is elongated or rectangular,fowling an elongated bin or container. In some embodiments, thereceptacle 20 can comprise a substantially rectangular receptacle or onethat has a C-shape, as shown in FIGS. 7F-7G and 8F-8G. The bottom wall22 can be flat or can be contoured to communicate with the floor surface315 of the vehicle. It is preferred that the bottom wall 22 fit snuglyagainst the vehicle floor 315. To accommodate the sometimes-irregularcontours and elevation of various vehicle floors 315, the bottom wall 22can include multiple segments of different heights, lengths, and widths.As shown in FIGS. 8A-8C, a central portion 36 of the bottom wall can beelevated with respect to the end portions 38 flanking the centralportion, providing the central portion 36 of the bottom wall 22 with anelevated section or a hump 40. As shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, the bottom wall22 can include a central segment 42 with a higher elevation thanflanking segments proximal 44 to the central segment 42, and theproximal flanking segments 44 can have higher elevations than distalsegments 46 flanking the proximal segments 44. Such distal segments 46can also comprise the end portions 38 of the bottom wall 22. As shownhere, the bottom wall 22 can define a tiered or multi-level hump 40.Such a hump 40 can have the effect of providing the receptacle 20 withthe general conformation of a saddlebag, with deeper end storagesections 48 flanking a shallower central storage section 50.

The front and rear walls 24, 26 can possess heights that are the same ordifferent. As shown in FIGS. 7B and 8B, the front wall 24 can have aheight that is less than the height of the rear wall 26. As shown inFIGS. 7A and 8A, the bottom, front, rear, and side walls 22, 24, 26, 28can have inner surfaces 52, 54, 56, 58 facing and defining theboundaries of the storage compartment 32. The bottom, front, rear, and,side walls 22, 24, 26, 28 can have outer surfaces 62, 64, 66, 68opposite the inner surfaces 52, 54, 56, 58.

When the underseat container system 10 is secured to the vehicle seat307, the outer surface 66 of the rear wall 26 can contact or communicatewith the vehicle seat 307, while the outer surface 64 of the oppositefront wall 24 can communicate with the legs of passengers seated in thevehicle.

As shown such as shown in FIGS. 7A and 8A, the front, rear, and sidewalls 24, 26, 28 can include upper edges 74, 76, 78 having a rounded orbeveled surface or lip 80. The upper edges 74, 76, 78 can be turnedoutward to define a turned-over lip 80 that can enhance the overallstrength and stiffness of the receptacle 20 and can minimize distortionof the front, rear, and side walls 24, 26, 28, In some embodiments, thelip 80 can be contoured to communicate with a bottom surface 313 of thevehicle seat 307, or to lie flush against it.

In some embodiments, the lip 80 can be contoured to be positionedproximate, yet not touching the bottom surface 313 of the vehicle seat307. Where the bottom surface 313 of the vehicle seat 307 slopes outwardand upward, the upper edges 78 of the receptacle side walls 28 can alsoslope outward and upward to allow the underseat container system 10 tobe positioned under the vehicle seat 307 and for the entire upper edge78 (or a portion of it) remain proximate to the vehicle seat 307.

The receptacle walls (e.g., 24, 26, 28) can include one or moreapertures 82. In preferred embodiments, such as shown in FIGS. 7-8, thefront or rear walls 24, 26 (or both) can include one or more apertures82 for accommodating one or more locking systems 84 meant to secure thereceptacle 20 to the vehicle seat 307. It is preferred that suchapertures 84 be located in a central portion 86, 88 of a front or rearwall 24, 26. It is also preferred that such apertures 82 be locatedcloser to the receptacle lip 80 (or upper edge 74, 76, 78) than to thebottom wall 22. As shown in FIGS. 7B-7C, where both the front and rearwalls 24, 26 have one or more apertures 82, those correspondingapertures 82 in the front and rear walls 24, 26 can define a line thatis parallel to a central axis of the receptacle 20. Where both the frontand rear walls 24, 26 have a plurality of apertures 82, correspondingapertures 82 in the front and rear walls 24, 26 can define lines thatare parallel to each other. Where there are multiple apertures 82 in afront or rear wall 24, 26, the apertures 82 can spaced at regular orequal distances apart from each other.

When the receptacle 20 has been placed on the vehicle floor 315,proximate to the vehicle seat 307, the receptacle 20 can be secured tothe vehicle seat 307 via one or more adjustable lock systems 84. Inorder to place the receptacle 20 in such position, it may be necessaryto place the vehicle seat 307 into the upright or uplifted position, asshown in FIG. 6.

The adjustable lock system 84 can be made of a cable 90 and a cable lockmechanism 96, such as shown in FIGS. 2-6. For example, the cable 90 canbe threaded through an aperture 82 on the rear wall 26. The cable 90 canalso be positioned around a support member 309 of the seat 307 (such asa seat leg), or threaded through an aperture in a support member 309 ofthe seat 307, preferably in proximity to the vehicle floor 315, such asshown in FIGS. 4-6. Opposing ends 92 of the cable 90 can be drawntogether, and the cable lock mechanism 96 can lockingly secure onesegment of the cable to a second segment of the cable 90, such as shownin FIG. 3. For example, the cable lock mechanism 96 can connect theopposite ends 92 of the cable 90 to each other; it can connect an endsegment 92 of the cable to a central segment 94 of the cable 90; it canconnect two central segments 94 or two or more of any of the cablesegments (e.g., 92, 94) together. The cable lock mechanism 96 caninclude a cable seal or other lock mechanism used for securing a cable90 as is commonly known in the art. It is preferred that such lockmechanism be able to secure the cable 90 to itself at a variety oflocations so that the amount of cable 90 used to secure the receptacle20 can be adjusted to allow for a tight connection or for a looserconnection.

Cables 90 can be formed of high strength stainless steel cable which isboth relatively thin and flexible and also has a high breaking strength.Cables 90 can be uncoated or coated. Stainless steel cable is especiallydesirable because it is durable and not easily cut without the aid ofspecialized tools. Cables 90 can be formed from carbon steel or wirerope. The cables 90 can be supplied in predefined lengths, preferably inlengths sufficient to secure the receptacle to the vehicle seat, but notso long as to tangle with other structures of the underseat containersystem 10, the vehicle, or the vehicle's passengers.

One or more of the cables 90 can be threaded through the apertures 82 inthe container 20, and threaded around a support member 309 in thevehicle, such as the leg of a back seat. The adjustable cable locksystem 84 can comprise a plurality of adjustable lock systems 84, eachlock system 84 securing the receptacle 20 via a different aperture 82and vehicle support member 309 (or the same aperture 82 and vehiclesupport member 309). As shown in FIGS. 4-5, a pair of adjustable lockingmechanisms 84 can secure the receptacle 20 to opposite ends 317 of avehicle seat or bench or cab 307.

A variety of adjustable cable mechanisms 84 can be employed to securethe cable 90, such as ordinarily known in the art. For example, thecables 90 can be threaded into and through a cargo tie, to provide asecured and locked cable 90.

The cable lock mechanisms 96 can tightly lock the cable 90 so that thecontainer 20 is secured to the vehicle structure 309, such as shown inFIG. 5. In preferred embodiments, the cable lock mechanism 96 can beunfastened to provide for the removal of the container from the vehicle,for cleaning or for use in a different vehicle. One advantage of thisfeature can include the ability to position the container 20 so that itdoes not protrude past the front edge of the seat 307 or cab, and canremain tucked underneath the seat 307. Thus, this system 10 can shieldthe container's 20 contents from casual view and decrease the risk oftheft of such stored items. But because the length of the cable 90securing the container 20 can be adjusted, a user can position thecontainer 20 to protrude past the edge of the seat 307, if desired. Forexample, such configuration can be adopted to allow passengers in thevehicle to have access to the interior portion of the container 20 whilethe vehicle is occupied or in operation.

More than one configuration can be achieved by locking the cable 90 withthe cable locking mechanism 96, as illustrated by FIGS. 3-5. Forexample, the secured cable 90 can be secured at a first location toprovide a loose attachment to enable an individual to move thereceptacle 20 while maintaining a secure connection (e.g., to access theinterior of the receptacle). The cable 90 can be secured at a secondlocation to provide a tight and secure attachment in which thereceptacle 20 can move a small distance or not at all. The cable 90 canbe secured at a number of other intermediate positions as desired orneeded.

After the receptacle 20 is secured as desired, the seat vehicle 307 canbe configured to the folded or seating position (if needed), such asshown in FIG. 6. In this configuration, the bottom surface 313 of thevehicle seat 307 can communicate with the lip 80 of the receptacle 20,thus defining a storage compartment 32 under the vehicle seat 307, suchas shown in FIG. 6.

The receptacle 20 can be contoured to fit into the space beneath avehicle seat 307. In some embodiments, when secured into place and whenthe vehicle seating system 303 is configured for seating passengers, therear wall 26 can contact the vehicle seating system 303. In suchconfiguration, the lip 80 can be contoured to contact a bottom surface313 of the vehicle seat 307, or to be positioned to lie flush along ornear the seat bottom surface 313.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the receptacle 20 can extend substantiallythe entire length of the vehicle seat 307.

The underseat container system 10 can be movably attached to a seatsupport member 309 extending from a vehicle floor 315 such that theunderseat container system 10 and the seat support member 309 cooperateto form a storage compartment 32. The bottom surface 313 of a vehicleseat 307 can be positioned to independently communicate with the opentop 30 of the receptacle 20 or the receptacle lip 80. Where the vehicleseat 307 can independently move between a seating state (such as shownin FIG. 6) and a lifted or upright state (such as shown in FIGS. 4-5),the vehicle seat 307 can form the storage compartment 82 in the seatingstate. Such design provides approximately accessible, contained storagewithout otherwise compromising the function or the appearance of thevehicle.

A storage container 20 for sundry articles can be designed to fit avariety of vehicle seats and vehicle models. Different embodiments ofthe invention can include a container or receptacle 20 configured forstoring articles that is specifically configured for use with specificvehicles or vehicle models. For example, some receptacles 20 can bespecifically designed for delivery from the rear under the rearmostbench seat 307 of a minivan vehicle. Thus it can be seen that thecontainer 20 for storing sundry articles of this invention isspecifically designed to fit from the rear under the rearmost bench seat307 of a minivan such as a Chrysler Corporation Dodge Caravan orPlymouth Voyager or similar vehicle. Other receptacles 20 can beconfigured to fit under a crew cab 307 in a truck, such as a ChevySilverado and GMC Sierra or other similar vehicle, such as shown inFIGS. 7A-7B. Other receptacles 20 can be configured to fit trucks with adouble cab 307, such as Chevy Silverado or similar vehicle.

The outer surface 62 of the bottom wall 22 can have a generally smoothfinish, to permit the receptacle 20 to be easily slid on the vehiclefloor 315, which is often covered by carpeting, such as shown in FIGS.7G and 8G. The bottom wall 22 can include a plurality of nubs 98 orprotrusions extending from its bottom or outer surface 62; that is, thesurface meant to communicate with the floor surface 315 of the vehicle.Such nubs 98 can include small lumps or protuberances on the bottomwall, which can provide traction to the underseat container system 10and minimize sliding on the vehicle floor 315. The larger contours ofthe bottom wall 22 can be sufficiently smooth to allow an individual toreadily slide the underseat container system 10 along the vehicle floor,while the smaller-sized nubs 98 can minimize small sliding movements bythe underseat container system 10.

When it is securely fastened to a vehicle seat 307, the movement of theunderseat container system 10 is restricted, but the underseat containersystem 10 can nonetheless move to a restricted degree. The nubs 98 canserve to further decrease the amount of movement that the securedunderseat container system 10 can be caused by the movement of thevehicle. The nubs 98 can minimize the effects of forward, backward, andsideward movements by the vehicle, as well upward, downward, andirregular movements experienced by a vehicle, such as when the vehiclepasses over a bump or a pothole.

Multiple nubs 98 can be arranged in rows, columns, or geometric shapes,or irregular patterns. As shown in FIG. 8G for example, multiple nubscan be concentrated in rows proximate to one or more corner sections ofthe bottom wall 22.

The receptacle 20 can be drawn from a single piece of material, such asby plastic injection molding, blow molding, or fabricated by welding orotherwise joining portions of one or a plurality of members to form asingle unitary shell. The receptacle 20 can be made of plastic, such aspolypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylchloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, acrylic, polycarbonate, nylon,other plastics, and mixtures thereof. Preferred embodiments can be madeof high impact molded automotive grade plastic.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or featuresof a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

1-19. (canceled)
 20. An underseat storage system comprising: a storagereceptacle comprising a bottom wall, upstanding side walls, a frontwall, and a rear wall, wherein the rear wall includes an aperture; andan adjustable lock system configured to pass through the aperture andsecure the storage receptacle underneath a seating system of a vehiclein either a first configuration or a second configuration.
 21. Theunderseat storage system of claim 20, wherein the storage receptacleincludes an open top.
 22. The underseat storage system of claim 20,wherein the bottom wall includes a contour configured to enable thebottom wall to lie flush against a floor of the vehicle.
 23. Theunderseat storage system of claim 20, wherein the bottom wall comprisesa plurality of protruding nubs.
 24. The underseat storage system ofclaim 20 wherein the first configuration includes the front wallextending past a front edge of the seating system.
 25. The underseatstorage system of claim 20 wherein the second configuration includes thefront wall failing to extend past the front edge of the seating system.26. The underseat storage system of claim 20 wherein the storagereceptacle is configured to extend an entire length of the vehicle. 27.The underseat storage system of claim 20 wherein the adjustable lockmechanism is configured to engage a support member of the vehicle. 28.An underseat storage system for a vehicle, the underseat storage systemcomprising: a storage receptacle comprising: a bottom, a front wall, arear wall, a pair of sidewalls, and a plurality of apertures in one ormore of the front wall, the rear wall, and the pair of sidewalls; aplurality of lock systems configured to pass through the plurality ofapertures and secure the storage receptacle underneath a seating systemof the vehicle in either a first configuration or a secondconfiguration.
 29. The underseat storage system of claim 28, whereineach of the plurality lock systems has a predefined length.
 30. Theunderseat storage system of claim 28, wherein each of the plurality oflock systems includes a respective plurality of segments and arespective mechanism configured to attach to any section of therespective plurality of segments.
 31. The underseat storage system ofclaim 28, wherein each of the plurality of apertures is closer to anupper edge of the storage receptacle than to the bottom.
 32. Theunderseat storage system of claim 28, wherein the storage receptacleincludes an open top.
 33. The underseat storage system of claim 27,wherein the front wall, the rear wall, and the pair of sidewalls includeone or more contours configured to enable the storage receptacle to lieflush along a bottom surface of the seating system.
 34. The underseatstorage system of claim 27 wherein the first configuration includes thefront wall extending past a front edge of the seating system.
 35. Theunderseat storage system of claim 27 wherein the second configurationincludes the front wall failing to extend past the front edge of theseating system.
 36. The underseat storage system of claim 27, whereinthe bottom, the front wall, the rear wall, and the pair of sidewallsform a unitary piece.
 37. The underseat storage system of claim 27,wherein the storage receptacle is made of plastic.